The winter storm is bringing snow and ice to Virginia with slick roadways reported in many areas throughout the state.
In the Shenandoah Valley, two inches of snow has accumulated in the southern Valley and higher elevations. Snow is expected to continue into the evening.
As of 11 a.m., there have been 53 crashes statewide since midnight. Four crashes have injuries. There have been no fatalities, according to Virginia State Police.
In the Appomattox division, which includes Staunton, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, there have been 15 crashes including two with injuries.
VSP continues to urge drivers to stay off the roads during the storm allowing the Virginia Department of Transportation and other emergency crews space to work.
Temperatures will be well below freezing Wednesday night and Thursday, so icy conditions are possible – even on treated surfaces.
More treacherous conditions are expected in southern and eastern portions of Virginia, where up to a foot of snow is expected to fall. Avoid traveling to these parts of the state until well after the winter storm.
Weather and road conditions vary significantly around the state. If travel is essential, check local weather sources and road conditions at 511Virginia for your entire route before leaving.
VSP: Crash information
Here is accident information throughout Virginia as of 11 a.m.
- Appomattox division: There have been 15 crashes, two of which had reported injuries. Covering central/western Virginia, including Staunton, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and South Boston.
- Division 1: There have been eight total crashes, none involved injuries. Includes the cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Goochland, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Louisa, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Prince George, Powhatan, Richmond and Westmoreland.
- Fairfax division: There have been six crashes, none of which had reported injuries. Covering Northern Virginia.
- Wytheville division: There have been 14 crashes, one of which had reported injuries. Covering southwestern Virginia.
Road conditions: Staunton district
The Virginia Department of Transportation is plowing and treating roadways as needed in the 11-county Staunton district. The Staunton district serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Here are the road conditions as of 11:30 a.m. in the Staunton district:
- Interstate 64 – Minor conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties
- Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County
- Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties. Clear conditions in Frederick County.
- Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Bath County. Minor conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page and Shenandoah counties. Clear conditions in Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.
- Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Bath, Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties. Minor conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, Highland and Shenandoah counties. Clear conditions in Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.
VDOT: Snow removal priorities
VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads as follows:
- The interstate highway system and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority
- Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary routes (numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow
- Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available
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Crystal Graham
